Circular Healthcare Programme Manager

About Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) Europe

HCWH Europe is a non-profit organisation that works to transform healthcare worldwide so that it reduces its environmental footprint, becomes a community anchor for sustainability and a leader in the global movement for environmental health and justice.

HCWH has offices in Europe, US, and Asia as well as a global team that works across all regions. HCWH works closely with health professionals, hospitals, healthcare systems, NGOs, local government, ministries of health and international organisations. HCWH Europe is active in 26 countries of the WHO Euro region and has a growing number of members. The HCWH Europe office is located in Brussels, Belgium.

Position overview

Reporting to the Director of Programmes, the Circular Healthcare Programme Manager will lead the development and implementation of HCWH Europe’s circular healthcare strategy and work programme, to support the healthcare sector to phase out unnecessary single-use products and toxic chemicals and become a torchbearer for sustainable supply chains and sustainable resource management.

The post holder will be responsible for leading HCWH Europe’s policy advocacy work relating to circular economy, sustainable procurement and safer use of chemicals in healthcare. They will develop and deliver projects with HCWH Europe members and global HCWH staff and partners to drive innovation in healthcare procurement, sustainable waste management and resource efficiency. They will also oversee HCWH Europe’s working groups on circular healthcare topics, and should be familiar with the operations of EU institutions and the formation of EU policy.

Key responsibilities:

- Lead the development and implementation of HCWH Europe’s Circular Healthcare strategy and work programme covering key areas of interest for HCWH Europe members, including efficient use of resources in healthcare, sustainable waste management, sustainable procurement practice and toxic-free healthcare
- Develop and manage the Circular Healthcare programme team at HCWH Europe
- Develop and oversee the delivery of major projects within the Circular Healthcare programme (e.g. towards plastic-free healthcare, eco-maternity units, PVC-free healthcare, etc.) to drive innovation and best practice, ensuring these are delivered on time, within budget and to the satisfaction of funders, members and other stakeholders (ensuring close collaboration with and management of partners and consultants, deployment of project management tools and techniques and preparation of project reports for funders as required).
- Organise circular healthcare training sessions to raise awareness and promote best practices in sustainable procurement and circular healthcare and support HCWH Europe members in identifying and procuring safer and more sustainable products and services
- Responsible for carrying out policy advocacy work on circular healthcare programme, including:
- Influencing the EU debate on circular economy, green public procurement and sustainable use of resources relating to the healthcare sector (covering key issues such as plastics, waste management, medical devices and PVC)
- Driving advocacy actions at the EU and national levels to ensure the consistent implementation of the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability with a specific focus on the phase-out of CMR substances and EDCs.
- Participating in ad hoc meetings with the EC, MEPs, and other key policy makers
- Reacting to public consultations as required
- Participating in and contributing to NGO networks and conference calls with partners
- Support the Development team and Director of Programmes to secure new funding and managing funder relationships, contributing to funding proposals as required
- Further develop and manage HCWH Europe’s Working Groups (e.g. Plastics, Safer Chemicals, Sustainability in Innovation Procurement) with the aim of exchange best practices on sustainable procurement, circular economy, and toxic-free healthcare in line with HCWH Europe’s circular healthcare programmatic goals, including:

- Organising and facilitating Working Group meetings for specific product and material categories
- Engage with supply chain actors (private entities and coalitions) to identify sustainable solutions for priority products whilst establishing appropriate mechanisms to safeguard HCWH Europe’s independence and effectiveness as an advocacy body. Building partnerships with other relevant NGOs and key bodies to support HCWH Europe’s circular healthcare goals, e.g. Break Free from Plastics movement and ECHA
- Act as knowledge leader for circular healthcare and sustainable procurement for HCWH Europe and provide leadership on behalf of Europe in the development of HCWH’s global Sustainability strategy and work programme
- Manage HCWH Europe’s input into global sustainable procurement projects and policy initiatives, including the Global Plastic Treaty and the ongoing SAICM process
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